The 13th Hour: A Marston Thriller (The Marston Series Book 4)

by Brigitta Moon

  “Well, you do that, son,” Romero said stepping forward. You sound like a kid who has his head screwed on enough to have done a bit of studying on the law.” He looked at Andrea. “You want to take the fifth, too.”

  “Whatever my brother says.”

  Romero reached into his pocket and pulled a toothpick, put it in the side of his mouth, chewed on it for a few seconds. He looked at Billy and said, “Get on the horn. Let the chief know we’re going to need an officer to babysit Ryan until he’s released.”

  “Got it.”

  “Oh, and let women’s detention know we will be bringing in a new customer for them.”

  Billy started to walk away when Ryan said, “Wait!”

  Billy turned back and saw Andrea with her mouth open and tears welling in her eyes.

  “You’re arresting us?” Ryan asked.

  Romero answered, “You broke the law. You obviously were in possession of illegal drugs. Your tox screen will show that. You didn’t purchase them at the club, right? They only have a liquor license; not a license to sell drugs. Where did you get the drugs? Or, were you selling them and you dipped into your stash?”

  Billy said, “Possession of an illegal drug with the intention to distribute can earn you up to twenty-five in the big house.”

  Andrea hopped up. “They were giving them away. Right there on the street.”

  “Shut up, Andrea. Don’t say nothing else.”

  “Same sentence for you, Andrea,” Romero said. “You were his helper.”

  “Helper! We did nothing. We didn’t sell no drugs. They been passing them little bags out on the street for months now.”

  “Shut up. Don’t be stupid. You’re gonna get us killed.”

  “By who, Ryan. They don’t know us from Adam and Eve.”

  “Things leak out. Next thing you know we’re on the witness stand testifying against the dealers. And they’re looking us in the eye. Planning our deaths.”

  “I’m not going to jail, Ryan. There are monsters in there.”

  “Talk,” Billy said. “Let’s hear your side.”

  “I’m warning you. Don’t say another word.” Ryan glared at his sister.

  “You know what those men will do to you in prison? Rape! You’re not going to little boys’ jail. You’re going to the pen. Do you hear me, Ryan?” Andrea screeched.

  Ryan grabbed her arm. “Just be—”

  Andrea smacked his hand away. “I’m not going to jail because you want to be stupid.” She looked at Billy. “They’re out there every weekend, Thursday thru Sunday, passing out little baggies of candy. Free. You get me. They are giving it away. Right out in the open. Two blocks from the police station.”

  Romero was taken aback, thinking about what the camera man had said. He squinted at the young lady. “Free. Nothing exchanging hands other than the drugs?”

  “That’s right, Mr. Policeman. One hundred percent free. And right under your nose.”

  Romero’s phone vibrated in his pocket. “Billy, stay with them. I need to step out.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Romero stepped out. Andrea sat down, looked up at Billy. “You can’t arrest us. We didn’t do anything.”

  “What can you tell me about the men who pass out the drug packets?”

  She shrugged. “Nothing. I never look at them.”

  “Are they black, white, Hispanic, other?”

  “It’s a mixture.”

  “Always the same people?”

  “I don’t know,” Andrea huffed. They sit out there at the curb in their fancy car. There’s a driver and the man at the trunk. He unloads the boxes and the man on the curb pass the bags out. You know, like the way they pass samples of food out at the mall?”

  “Right,” Billy said nodding.

  Romero returned, huffing and puffing. He waved Billy over to the doorway. “We have to get moving.”

  He went inside, handed Ryan and Andrea a business card. “If you think of anything else give us a call. In the meantime, don’t leave town. We may need to speak with you again.” Romero said to Billy, “Get their info. I’ll meet you at the car.”

  Romero ambled down the corridor peering in rooms looking for the nurse. He finally crossed paths with her at the nurse’s station.

  “Anything back on the tox screen yet?” Romero asked.

  “Nothing so far.” Beverly frowned. “Our lab is slow.”

  Thanks for all of your help. My partner and I have to run.” Romero was already walking toward the exit.

  “Wait. Did you learn anything?”

  He half turned, not breaking his stride. “Plenty. Thanks again.”

  Romero jogged to the car, pressed the key fob. The doors chirped, lights flashed. He hopped into the driver seat and started the engine, pulled off, aiming the Mustang at the ED exit. Billy was caught in the headlights. Romero sped over. Billy wrenched the door open and hopped in.

  “Why the hurry? We just bailed on an arrest,” Billy said as he was snapping on his seatbelt.

  “They’re small fish right now. Anyway, I know they’re not dealing. I was only trying to scare them into talking.”

  “It worked,” Billy said.

  “The girl gave us a lot to work with, but it will have to sit inside the oven for now. That was Becky on the phone. We have been summoned.”

  “By who? The chief?”

  “No, not this time. The mayor.”

  Part V

  Chapter 25

  Long Macchiato. Two shots of expresso. Just what Gina needed right now, and she knew exactly where to get the perfect cup—Coffee Haven. She had already cleared the checkpoint to exit the prison and had her red classic Benz aimed toward downtown. The top was down. Cool, evening air filled the two-seater, whipping her hair around like leaves caught in a storm. She didn’t care about the mess the wind was making of her hairdo. This was her favorite car, and whenever she drove it, she intended to get the full experience.

  The 560 SL, nineteen-eighty-eight. The first time she had seen one on the road, it had reminded her of the classy woman she saw in movies—a woman of class like she wanted to become. Now that this classy Benz was hers, she primped in it every chance she got. This evening it was taking her to the little coffee shop at the harbor which offered good expresso, sumptuous views of the water, luscious aromas of coffee beans, and friendly service.

  She found street parking half a block away, fed the Pay to Park box, took her ticket and stashed it on the dash. She strolled along the pavement toward the shop. The street fronting the harbor was busy with foot traffic and cars. Music rode along on the breeze. Traffic noises polluted the air. The aroma of food swirled around her nose, but coffee was the only thing she wanted.

  Gina stopped in front of the door and peered through the glass. There was no more than a handful of people in there. That meant she would have her coffee at lightning speed and there would be a seat waiting for her. She strong-armed the door and went inside. Calming music played in the background as if one with the atmosphere. She loped past customers at tall round tables engrossed in their electronics—laptops, tablets, and phones. She stopped in front of the coffee bar.

  “Good evening,” the Barista greeted, “what is your choice of drink as the sun drifts down and the moon rises?”

  Closing her eyes and savoring the words, Gina said, “A Long Macchiato.”

  “Anything else?” asked the Barista.

  Gina opened her eyes. “Nothing else for me tonight, thank you.”

  He rung up her order. Gina swiped her debit card. The Barista went to prepare her drink.

  “Slow night?” she asked.

  “Hey, it’s a good thing since I’m working as a one-man team. How’s your evening going?”

  “I have nothing to complain about. The weather is good and a Long Macchiato is coming my way.”

  He finished blending the drink, poured it in a tall cup, handed it to Gina.

  “Enjoy.”

  “Thank you. I will.”
>
  Gina selected a table sidled at the panoramic window so she could get lost in the view across the street. She took the first sip and closed her eyes, savoring the flavor on her tongue. She let out a small moan. She sipped and thought about the last time she had been a customer here at Coffee Haven. A chance meeting with a woman had changed her life. As she sat and sipped the hot expresso she went over the conversation in her mind. The woman’s face and conversation were so clear, it was as if she was sitting across from her.

  Gina hoped the woman would happen by tonight. She could use her company. She could apologize for her rudeness. Gina pouted. The woman was not in the shop. She chided herself for such stupidity to think the woman would be at the shop just because she wanted her here. She packed up her purse and expresso and left—not noticing the man following in her footsteps.

  Chapter 26

  The phone was answered on the first ring.

  “I hope you are on your way,” Ethan said after checking the caller I.D. and seeing the caller was Gina.

  “Getting ready to park. Send the elevator down,” Gina told Ethan.

  Residing in a warehouse which had been converted into condominiums as well as living on the top floor afforded Ethan a great view of the city and his own elevator to the top.

  “It is on the way,” Ethan replied.

  Inside the underground garage, Gina grabbed her purse, threw it over her shoulder, locked up, and jogged toward the open elevator. Although, she knew the doors would not close unless Ethan called the elevator back, she ran anyway. She felt like she was always in a rush, chasing appointments, running off to work away her days, and now working the project with Ethan. So many elevator doors had shut in her face. Now, she was programmed—run at the sight of an open elevator door.

  The lighting in the garage was as dull as the beam from a dying flashlight. Not many cars were parked at the south end. Many of the spaces were reserved for Ethan and his guests. He had paid a hefty sum for the coveted piece of real-estate.

  Gina looked over her shoulder as she huffed it toward the elevator. She could have sworn she heard someone behind her, the soft shuffle of rubber soles on concrete. But, when she peered around, she was alone. Nothing there except her and the eerie quiet. Never had she been happier than now, that Ethan had sent the elevator ahead of her arrival.

  As soon as Gina stepped into the elevator, she punched in the four-digit code. She kept her eyes sweeping around the garage, looking for the root of her uneasiness. Even as the doors glided to a close without a sound, she kept up her watch of the area until her view was snapped off.

  On the top floor, the doors parted. Ethan was not waiting at the open doors for her, nor was he standing at the picturesque windows overlooking the city. Although, Gina had not been to Ethan’s condo often, each time the elevator doors had opened the few times she had come, the view had always taken her breath away. It was like standing on the top deck of the Empire State Building, sixteen floors above the eighty-sixth floor. She called out to Ethan.

  “I am in the den,” he answered.

  Gina walked over to the scenic windows. City lights glowed over and around buildings of many shapes, sizes, and uses, from industrial to small business to residential. They seemed to fit together like the patterns of a quilt—perfect and relevant. Gina walked the length of the window, sliding her finger tips along the sill, admiring the view. She could see all the way to Camden Yards. The stadium lights were glowing. She had forgotten about the baseball game which she usually kept tabs on to avoid the traffic. She stopped, inhaled deeply, and tried to make a permanent memory stamp of the picture before her.

  “What is taking you so long, Gina?”

  She let her gaze slide away from the lights of the city. She followed the sound of Ethan’s voice to the rear of the condo where she found him pacing around the table, looking down at papers spread out neatly along the rectangular shape of the cherry wood. Figurines occupied the center.

  “What are you doing?” Gina asked.

  “I am working through this puzzle. It is a stimulating brainteaser; one I intend to figure out.”

  The television was on without sound. Gina watched the rowdy crowd of people pumping their fists and signs toward the sky. She tried to focus in on the banners, but the lighting was poor.

  “You wonder what they are chanting?” Ethan asked. “What they are marching against?”

  “Why is the sound off,” Gina asked.

  “It is nothing more than distraction. I have a job to do here. One that will propel my career past my life expectancy.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Gina, my dear Gina, it means my research will be so compelling, so useful, that all the powers that be will refer to my research long after my bones have mingled with the earth.”

  “This research would be what we are working on at the jail?”

  Ethan stopped pacing, eyed Gina with a finger resting on his chin. “Partially.”

  Gina threw up her hands. “Ethan, what is all this shit. I’m trying to help you, trying to push the plan forward. I don’t know how this is going to work if you keep talking in riddles and shutting me out.” Gina stomped over to the table, gave it a fine tooth looking over. “I’ve done everything you have asked of me. Still, I’m not sure what we’re working on.”

  “The men, Gina. They are the key to everything.”

  Gina swept her hair out of her face. “I don’t understand this whole thing. We have group. The men answer your questions. They are your eyes and ears in the pen of sin. But, I don’t see a thing you have done for the men. Nothing. They say they are innocent, yet, you have not helped one to freedom.”

  “Come, Look at this with me.” Ethan indicated the stacks of papers neatly squared off on the table like the battlement of a castle surrounding the figurines.

  “What is all of this?”

  Ethan lifted a stack from the table. “This is everything that one of the convicted men has done. You can refer to these as the prison guards.”

  Gina wrinkled her nose and squinted at the table. “And the little figurines inside?”

  “Prisoners. What else would they be? They are surrounded by their crimes which keep them imprisoned.”

  “But they’re innocent. That’s what they said in group and you agreed. You told them you would get freedom for each of them.”

  Ethan clamped his lips, closed his eyes, and slowly shook his head. “My dear Gina, they are all innocent. They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  “So, what are you doing to help them?”

  “Gina, Gina, Gina, do you actually believe these men are innocent?”

  “Yes, I believe them because of your research. You said you made sure each man was wrongfully convicted.”

  “What is this all about? Does this have anything to do with our newest member? Perhaps you want things to move faster for him. You want him free for you.”

  “What are you talking about, Ethan? You—”

  Ethan had always been in control of his emotions and his temperament before seeing Gina and Jesse together.

  “I saw the fire in your eyes when he introduced himself. Do you think I did not take notice of the desire you displayed? You were like a whore seeing a hundred-dollar score.”

  “Forget this,” Gina said walking towards the door. “If that’s the case, then you sound like a jealous pimp.”

  Ethan smacked the desk. “I have no romantic interest in you. We have a professional working relationship. That is all.”

  “Until tonight,” Gina said. “I think you’re pissed because you think I want to jump in the sac with Jesse and not you.”

  Ethan’s lips parted. “Jump in the sac with him? You think that is what I thought?” Ethan walked toward Gina. “I saw you escort Jesse out of camera range. I know you had plans for him.”

  Gina forced in a gulp of air. “I don’t care if I ripped his clothes off and, and...it’s none of your business, and you
should not have been acting like a Peeping Tom.” She stomped through the doorway of the den, headed toward the elevator. “Voyeurism is illegal.”

  “For your own personal knowledge,” Ethan began saying as he followed her through the condo, the federal Video Voyeurism Protection Act of 2004 makes it a federal crime to secretly capture images of people on federal property in situations in which they have the expectation of privacy. I hope you were not expecting privacy.”

  Gina stopped walking. “And you know this because...” Gina lifted her hands and dropped them.

  Ethan reached out to her. “Gina, please—”

  She rebuffed his attention, smacking away his hand. “I could never want you.” She pressed the button for the elevator. “Never desire you or have fire in my eyes for you. You’re too stiff. The way you talk, the way you dress, even your stance; you’re like a model posing for the sculpture of the vision of the perfect person.”

  The elevator doors slid open. Gina walked in. Ethan stood between the doors with his arms out stretched like Jesus on the cross preventing the doors from closing.

  “Please, Gina, let us talk about this.”

  Ethan has never begged for anything, until this moment.

  Gina walked up to Ethan, stood in front of him and said, “Have you ever made love to a woman?”

  Ethan was at a loss for words, not expecting the question.

  “I didn’t think so.” She pushed him backward with all of her strength. The doors began to glide shut without a sound. Gina watched as Ethan stumbled backward catching himself on the wall, his eyes piercing hers.

  Part VI

  Chapter 27

  Romero pulled the black Mustang into the driveway behind an unmarked, black SUV.

  “Home with a view,” remarked Billy as he exited the car and slammed the door.

  “Tell me about it,” said Romero. On our salaries combined, we couldn’t afford this view.” Romero propped himself between the door and the interior of the car. He leaned on the roof, checking out the view of the lake.